Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Donate Now
Logo of The Independent Florida Alligator
Newsletter
Apartments in Gainesville, FL
We inform. You decide.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Opinion

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

How to quit sucking: the problem with plastic straws

By Layla Soboh | July 9, 2018

Americans have recently discovered the harm of plastic straws to the environment and the animals that inhabit it. Overnight, it seems that many young people have begun urging each other to stop using the thin drinking tubes. When I first heard about this movement, I didn’t understand why straws were any worse than other plastic pollution. I figured all plastic was bad. Why are we singling out straws? This week I set out to find the reason so many environmentalists were warning us about these seemingly innocent tools.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

If you can't be a vegan, be a vegan ally

By Layla Soboh | July 4, 2018

I have recently come across a community of people who have a unique view about diets and veganism. These people believe that consuming a more plant-based diet is beneficial to the environment and our bodies, but they are open to making exceptions in times of inconvenience.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

On getting perspective

By Stephan Chamberlin | July 4, 2018

Being in the midst of some argument or worry, it can be hard to get a wise outsider’s perspective. This is why we often find ourselves monologuing, replying to day-old discussions while standing in the shower or driving. Time and distance give us a birds-eye view of our troubles; it can be hard, but we ought to give ourselves time to reflect on the bigger picture. Better perspective tends to lead us in the right direction.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

A follow-up about ‘freedom’

By Stephan Chamberlin | July 2, 2018

A reader’s comment got me thinking about what it means to have individual freedom. It made me consider why I feel comfortable harshly criticizing the country I love so much. Here’s my reply, point-by-point. The main thrust of it is we can’t afford to think we’re on top of the world. We are a great country, but we got here through constant improvement, not arrogant complacency.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Stop 'Twitter-canceling' people and let them learn from mistakes

By Layla Soboh | June 18, 2018

“You’re canceled” is an internet death sentence. Twitter users have been given a powerful tool, and they are using it irresponsibly. The concept of going viral on the internet gives every user hope that one day, if they tweet often and clever enough, they too can win the retweet lottery. If the Twitter community and their infinite wisdom decide that your tweet makes the cut, your tweet can have an audience as wide as former President Barack Obama’s. Even if it’s only for 280 characters, you get to be slightly famous, and your tweet is seen by everyone who doesn’t live under a rock. I believe public opinion is dangerously susceptible to influence people from just a handful of viral tweets. A thread shaming a public figure can end their career.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Why drink decaf if it’s just bean water?

By Stephan Chamberlin | June 11, 2018

An open letter to all citizens of coffee-land who drink decaf: I do not understand you. I recognize the merits of coffee as a drink — its aroma, its flavors, its warmth as it hits your tongue. The small stains it leaves around the rim of your mug. The brown crop circle it leaves on your desk is endearing — its repose as a hazel-colored halo on what is likely meaningless desk paperwork. But for me, its main benefit is its ability to focus me on the task at hand. Coffee just doesn’t taste good enough to drink without the drug: caffeine.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Problem solving and originality lead to great innovation

By Layla Soboh | June 11, 2018

As one of the 1,149 students currently enrolled in UF’s Innovation Academy (IA), I spend a lot of time thinking about innovation and entrepreneurship. Almost every 21st century company claims to be “innovative” or seeks “innovative employees.” This makes UF’s minor in innovation through IA attractive to students looking to have a competitive edge in the job market. Since we are now living in a knowledge and internet economy rather than a manufacturing one, the only way to create distinguished products that can compete for market share is to innovate. Most people know this, but they aren’t sure how to go about it.

Florida Alligator
OPINION  |  COLUMNS

Senate shenanigans

By Zachariah Chou | June 6, 2018

A couple of pretty important and interesting things happened this past Student Senate meeting, and I feel it’d be pretty helpful to mention them in tandem with whatever The Alligator reporter writes about the meeting as well.

Popular
Calendar
No events at this time.
Submit an event
Classifieds
Submit classified
Powered by SNworks Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2025 The Independent Florida Alligator and Campus Communications, Inc.